Cigarette package



May 22, 1934-. E, JACKMAN 1,959,829

CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed Sept. 9, 1932 INVENTOR wa mm,

Patented May 2.2, 1934;

CKGARETTE PACKAGE Elmer F. Eaclrrna' flilkinsburg, lia., assigncr of one-half to Joseph S. McFeatters, Wilkinsburg,

Application September 9, 1932, Serial No. 632,354

3 Claims. (Cl. 22951) Cigarettes are now generally put up in paper packages, the paper being folded up and pasted at the ends of the package and the package is then enclosed in a covering of moistureproof transparent material such as cellophane.

When the smoker opens a new package he cuts or tears off a portion or all of the top end of the package, leaving the ends of some or all of the cigarettes exposed.

The result is that the cigarettes remaining in the package quickly dry out, the tobacco sifts from the cigarettes into the pocket or handbag of t e user and the cigarettes become tainted from other contents of the pocket or bag, such, for instance, as perfumery. Again the open package is ragged looking and unsightly.

The object which I have in view is an improvement in cigarette packages which provides means for expeditiously and conveniently opening the package, which provides a permanent attractive closure for the open package, preserves the cigarettes remaining in the package from becoming dry or contaminated, which prevents the tobacco from sifting out from the open package, and which will preserve a neat and attractive appearance when opened.

For this and other purposes I provide a package wherein a portion of the top of the package,

- preferably along one end edge and a portion of the side edges of the top end of the package, is cut to form a tongue which may be raised to permit the Withdrawal of cigarettes and which at other times will lie flat to close the end of the package. Over this tongue and the surrounding surfaces of the package I paste a sheet of flexible and preferably moistureproof material, such as cellophane, which holds the tongue down in its closed position and seals its edges so as to ren der the package moist-ureproof and air-tight. A portion of one edge of the tonguesecuring sheet is preferably unpasted so that the finger nail may be inserted under the same and the sheet torn or pulled off the package, thus releasing the tongue.

Other novel features of construction and also of arrangement of parts will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein I have illustrated a practical embodiment of the principles of my invention, Fig. 1 represents in perspective an unopened cigarette package to which my invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the package after the cigarettes have been packed therein and before the application of the tongue securing sheet.

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating step in applying the sheet.

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the second step in applying the sheet.

Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the final step in applying the sheet.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the sheet, the line of folding being indicated by dotted lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a conventional package of cigarettes, the coveringof the package being usually formed of paper and also a second covering, generally exterior, of cellophane or other moistureproof and transparent material.

One end of the package is regarded as the top of the same and this is assumed to be the upper end in the drawing.

In my invention the top edge of the package is cut away along one of the narrow sides of the package and back part Way along each of its wider sides as indicated at 2, to form a tongue 3, which tongue before the tongue-securing sheet is applied and after said sheet is removed is free along its end and sides so that it may be swung counterclockwise in Fig. 2 to permit the withdrawal of cigarettes from the package.

a represents a tongue-securing sheet, preferably made of cellophane or some other moistureproof transparent material. Said sheet is preferably of substantially the relative dimensions and shape shown in Fig. 6, the line of folds being indicated by a dotted line. The sheet is of proper dimension so that when it is folded and pasted on the package it will cover the tongue 3 and overlap the surrounding portions of the package.

Thus in Fig. 3 I have indicated the sheet 4 laid on the top of the package, the portion 5 of the sheet between the transverse dotted line 6 and the longitudinal dotted lines '7 being flat on the top of the package and the portion 8 of the sheet between the dotted lines '7.being folded down along the dotted line 6 to fit snugly against the narrow vertical side of the package. The next step is illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the side portions 9 of the sheet are folded back against the wider vertical surfaces of the package. In Fig. 5 the next step is illustrated wherein the side portions 10 of the sheet are folded down against the wider sides of the package. In applying the sheet and folding it against the package sufiicient pressure is applied to cause the paste to adhere to the package and thus hold the sheet in position.

The bottom edge of the portion 8, indicated at the first 11, is left unpasted so that the finger nail may be placed under the same and the entire sheet 4 may be ripped from the package, thus uncovering and freeing the tongue 3, so that it may be swung counterclockwise in Fig. 2 to permit the removal of a cigarette or cigarettes. When the tongue 3 is released it drops back into its closed position illustrated at Fig. 2. When the sheet is removed the package presents the appearance illustrated in Fig. 2.

Thus when the smoker desires to open a new package of cigarettes he places his finger nail under the edge 11 and pulls upwardly until the the sheet 4 is stripped from the package and he then lifts the flap 3 and removes a cigarette or cigarettes, after which he allows the flap to drop back into place, thereby forming a closure for the end of the package which will prevent the escape of moisture or the outward sifting of tobacco, and which will also prevent the tainting of the cigarettes from other articles or substances which may be carried in the pocket or handbag.

It is obvious that my invention comprises an advantageous improvement in cigarette packages and provides means whereby the same may be opened for the removal of cigarettes more expeditiously and conveniently, and whereby the contents of the open package may be better protected and kept in proper condition.

Again the open package presents a neat and attractive appearance far superior to a package which is ripped partially or fully opened as in the present practice.

I claim:

1. A cigarette package comprising a carton including side, edge, and top Walls, said carton having a portion of its top wall free at the sides and one edge from the remainder of the carton to form a bendable tongue, and a sheet of flexible material pasted over the tongue and sides of the carton and having a portion extending down from the free end of the tongue along an edge of the carton and free at its bottom part therefrom to enable said bottom part to be grasped and torn free from the remainder of the sheet along the corner lines of the carton and the sides of the tongue.

2. A cigarette package comprising a carton including side, edge, and top walls, said carton having a portion of its top wall free at the sides and one edge from the remainder of the carton to form a bendable tongue, said tongue extending from side to side of the carton, and a sheet of flexible material pasted over the tongue and sides of the carton and having a portion extending down from the free end of the tongue along an edge of the carton and free at its bottom part therefrom to enable said bottom part to be grasped and torn free from the remainder of the sheet along the corner lines of the carton and the sides of the tongue.

3. A cigarette package comprising a carton including side, edge, and top walls, said carton having adjacent its top a slot extending through one edge wall and the adjacent parts of the side walls to provide a portion of its top wall free along the sides and one edge thereof to form a bendable tongue, and a sheet of flexible material pasted over the tongue and sides of the carton and having a portion extending down from the free end of the tongue along an edge of the carton and free at its bottom part therefrom to enable said bottom part to be grasped and torn free from the remainder of the sheet along the corner lines of the carton and the sides of the tongue.

ELMER. F. JACKMAN. 

